Two Fitchburg families displaced after car crash

Two families were displaced after a woman, who allegedly stole a car and was driving drunk, struck a multi-unit home and caused a natural gas leak.

Tasha DiGeronimo, 31, of 197 Chapman Place, Leominster, is charged with drunken driving, driving a motor vehicle after revocation of license, larceny of a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle), destruction of property over $250, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, marked lane violation and vandalizing property.

Officers Scott Gabriel and Christopher Cordio investigated a report about 5 a.m. Saturday of a motor vehicle striking a house at 64 Abbott Ave. An odor of natural gas was detected by police when they arrived at the scene. Unitil emergency crews and the Fire Department were called, Police Sgt. Glenn Fossa said.

The American Red Cross of Central Mass. is assisting two families with shelter. The two families — three adults and one child — were displaced because of the structural damage to their multi-unit home that caused the water and gas to be turned off, according to Dawn Leaks, Red Cross regional director of communications.

Ms. DiGeronimo, driving a late model Buick sedan, allegedly struck a guardrail and then the house at 64 Abbott Ave. A witness asked Ms. DiGeronimo to remain at the scene but she put the car into gear, was able to get the car free from where it was stuck and narrowly missed the witness as she drove off, according to Sgt. Fossa.

Officer Gabriel found the car in the area of Krysiak Ave., which is about a half-mile north of the crash scene, Sgt. Fossa said.

The woman who owns the Buick sedan knows Ms. DiGeronimo, but the car's owner was unaware that Ms. DiGeronimo had taken the car from her Newton Street home, according to Sgt. Fossa.

Ms. DiGeronimo is being held on $10,000 bail. She is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at Fitchburg District Court. Officer Cordio was the arresting officer. Officers James Arciprete and Jose Figueroa assisted.